A Cuban mother living outside the island has touched the hearts of thousands on social media by sharing a video of herself packing her daughter's backpack and school supplies to send to Cuba. The little girl is about to start her first year of school, and the video highlights the poignant experience of many separated Cuban families.
Rachel, known on TikTok as @rachelita131, shared this bittersweet moment on Tuesday, revealing the harsh reality faced by countless Cuban families torn apart due to migration. "I haven't seen her since she was two, and now she's starting school. It's heartbreaking to be far away, organizing her things, and not being there for her first day," she expressed.
The brief video, lasting under a minute, captures Rachel arranging school materials while a deeply moving song plays in the background: "I'll fight for you to be happy, my little one / And I'll give my life so you can live, my little one / Wherever you go, I'll always be your light, my little one."
Rachel's mixture of emotions is encapsulated in a single statement: "I don't know if I'm excited or sad. Your first year of school and mom is far away."
Separation and Longing
The first day of school is a milestone moment for any child and their mother. For Rachel, this occasion will pass without her presence, unable to hold her daughter's hand or walk her to the classroom door.
Her story is far from unique. The recent Cuban exodus has left numerous families scattered, with children often in the care of grandparents or other relatives while parents strive to establish lives abroad. In September 2025, another Cuban mother in the United States experienced her daughter's first school day in Cuba through a video call, summarizing her plight in three words: "It happened to many of us."
The Challenges of Reuniting
Immigration restrictions exacerbate these separations. Many Cuban women with humanitarian parole, pending asylum applications, or I-220A forms face the risk of jeopardizing their legal status in the U.S. if they return to the island, making visits nearly impossible.
Adding to this are the steep costs of air travel, often exceeding $1,000, creating a substantial financial hurdle that further blocks the path to reunion.
Staggering Migration Figures
The statistics behind these stories are striking. From 2021 to mid-2024, over 860,000 Cubans have arrived in the United States, with the largest influx occurring between 2022 and 2023. Most of these migrants are young adults between 20 and 40, prime childbearing age, leading to a silent wave of separations measured in years and missed moments.
Documented cases reveal reunions after three, five, six, or even seven years apart, with children sometimes crying or failing to recognize their own parents. One Cuban mother experienced such a reunion after five years, ending in a tearful embrace on the floor.
Rachel's video garnered over 6,700 views, 383 likes, and 54 comments within 24 hours, underscoring how many Cuban families see themselves in her situation: a backpack ready, a mother far away, and a child starting school unaware of her mother's efforts from across the sea.
The Impact of Cuban Migration on Families
What challenges do Cuban mothers face due to migration?
Cuban mothers often face legal and financial challenges that prevent them from visiting their children in Cuba. These include the risk of losing legal status in the U.S. and the high costs of airfare.
How has Cuban migration affected family structures?
The recent wave of Cuban migration has led to many families being fragmented, with children often growing up with grandparents or other relatives while parents establish new lives abroad.
What are the emotional impacts on separated families?
The emotional toll is significant, with many parents missing out on key milestones in their children's lives, leading to feelings of sadness and longing.